Letter: What Will We Do if the Landfill Grows Larger?

Editor's Note: The following letter was read by its author to Lower Saucon Township Council at council's June 20, 2012 meeting.

What will we do in 30 years when there is no more of Lower Saucon Townshipʼs space for the landfill to go? What will you think when you drive down Applebutter Road, look to the left and see not a single person working, not a tree, not a house, not a historic building, not a business, not a piece of a community? All you will see is a green wall that can never be developed again. What will we do when all the host agreement money is blown like it has been, and this land can never make money for the township again? What will we do and where is the money going to come from to maintain what we have and what we will acquire in 30 years? It will not come from a business on Applebutter Road.

What will you think when your township residents come to complain about quality of life issues for the next 30 years, like they have for the past 60 years? Will you be at peace with your decision in 30 years? What will our kids and our grandchildren do with Lower Saucon Township in 30 years after this mess has been made? 

What will we do now to stop this? Keep the zoning how it is. Make all the mountain from Skyline Drive up open space. Promote the land from Skyline Drive down to a business that is willing to keep some of the historic structures and incorporate them into the property. Whether it is a hospital, nursing home, office space, small manufacturing buildings, retail stores--some kind of business that would blend the industrial properties with the residential and natural resource areas. These types of business will provide money for the township forever. If they close up a new one can take their place.

As for the mountain, you can make a trail right up the mountain from where the Saucon Creek meets the Lehigh River, following the power lines up the mountain. This would be a very low maintenance hiking trail. You can make this trail as far as Easton following the river. There are some beautiful views up there along with plenty of wildlife.

Everyone in the township needs to bend a little bit, from the people that live on Saucon Valley Road to . We are all neighbors, working hard for our families and enjoying living in this township. It is not right to sacrifice a whole community for the supposed good of the rest.

What the rest doesnʼt realize is what will happen in 30 years. . 

Please do your research and make this decision based on the future--not only ours, but on generations after us.

Please, all Lower Saucon Township residents, come to the planning commission meeting Thursday, June 28 at 7pm at .

This will effect everyone--if not now, then in the near future.

Matt McClarin

Lower Saucon Township